Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Welcome to the Bulls!

The stories linked above tell you about the game. I want to talk about a guy who is thousands of miles away from his raisin’, as they say around here, who sure looks like he’s found a home in Durham, shortstop Brandon Chaves. After 8 years as a professional, never above AA ball, this native of Hawaii showed up when we were in Rochester (from the Montgomery Biscuits) on May 26th. His first game he went 0-3 with a walk. After that he announced himself to the Bulls and at least this fan. As of yesterday he’s hitting .522 with 12 hits in 23 at bats and 5 walks (only 3 strikeouts). His OBP is .621. His OPS is 1.186! He’s hitting .750 with runners in scoring position. He’s got 5 RBIs. In the field? Seven games, seven double plays. Errors? 0. His Fielding Percentage is 1.000. What else can I tell you about this guy except that he’s fun to watch. I know it’s a small sample, but if “the diamond” (catcher, pitcher, shortstop, second base, center field) is the key to team defense, Chaves is filling the hole left by Brignac more than adequately. In fact, if he keeps it up, Reid may have a bit of a problem when he comes back. In the meantime, I’m just enjoying watching this guy play.

Welcome to Durham, Brandon. Have fun! Here’s hoping you help us get the Governor’s Cup.

I guess that it’s time for our section of the stands to stop hoarding peanut shells and invite Adam Sobsey down from his perch in the press box. It looks like he didn’t jinx the series against the Bisons. Now it’s time to welcome the second-most famous minor league baseball team in America, the Toledo Mud Hens. Our guys achieved lasting fame through the story of a worn-out catcher and rising phenom competing for the attentions of a local baseball Annie. Their guys achieved fame through the exploits of a cross-dressing Army clerk wearing a Mud Hens hat. Sounds like a match-up to me.